In 2018, 11 million passengers travelled by Eurostar, representing a seven per cent increase compared with 2017 and the highest ever number of travellers in a single year.

Sales revenues increased by 12 per cent year-on-year (reaching £989 million in 2018 from £880 million in 2017) and the company reported a preliminary unaudited operating profit of £96.6 million in 2018.

The business travel market grew by 12 per cent in 2018, testament to the enduring popularity of Eurostar’s Business Premier service which offers travellers complete flexibility, 10-minute check-in and a range of sustainable menu options on board.

The number of U.S. travellers incorporating the Eurostar experience in their tour of Europe also increased by nine per cent year-on-year.

The high-speed rail link between London and the Netherlands has seen over a quarter of a million passengers travelling since its launch in April 2018. To meet consumer demand, Eurostar put tickets on sale for a third daily service starting in June 2019 and committed to introducing additional services as soon as the governments have put border controls in place for the Amsterdam-London leg of the journey.

Mike Cooper, Chief Executive, Eurostar, said: “Over the last 25 years Eurostar has led the way in cross-Channel travel, cementing the links between the UK and mainland Europe. The popularity of our new service between London and Amsterdam shows the growing appetite among customers for international high-speed rail travel and a sustainable alternative to the airlines.”